Microfluidic devices and methods for producing pulsed microfluidic jets in a liquid environment

Abstract

Microfluidic devices and methods for their use in producing pulsed microfluidic jets in a fluid environment are provided. The subject microfluidic devices are characterized by the presence of a microfluid chamber at their distal ends. The microfluid chamber is bounded by an opening at one end, a vapor producing means opposite the opening, and side walls between the opening and the vapor producing means. The microfluid chambers are further characterized in that the only way fluid can exit the microfluid chambers is through the opening. In using the subject devices to produce a fluid jet in a fluid environment, the chamber is first contacted with the fluid environment. The vapor producing means is then actuated in a manner sufficient to produce a vapor bubble in the chamber which, in turn, produces a microfluidic jet in the fluid environment. The subject devices and methods find use in a variety of different applications, e.g., cutting tissue, introducing fluid into a cell, and the like.

1 . A device for producing a microfluid jet in a fluid environment, said device comprising: 
 a microfluid chamber having:    (i) at least one opening at a distal end;    (ii) a vapor producing means opposite said opening;    wherein said fluid chamber is capable of producing a microfluidic jet in a fluid environment upon actuation.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said vapor producing means produces a vapor bubble inside said microfluid chamber.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said vapor producing means is a high pressure vapor producing means.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein said high pressure vapor producing means is an electrode.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein said high pressure vapor producing means is a laser.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said opening has a diameter ranging from about 1 μm to 1 mm.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a distance of 1 μm to 1 cm separates said opening and said oppositely positioned vapor producing means.  
     
     
         8 . A device for producing a microfluidic jet in a fluid environment, said device comprising: 
 a micronozzel having a distal end comprising a fluid chamber, wherein said fluid chamber has a volume ranging from about 10 μm 3  to 1 cm 3  and comprises: 
 (i) a single opening having a diameter ranging from about 1 μm to 1 mm; and  
 (ii) a vapor producing means located opposite said opening and separated from said opening by a distance ranging from about 1 μm to 1 cm;  
   wherein said fluid chamber is capable of producing a microfluidic jet in a fluid environment upon actuation.    
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein said vapor producing means is a high pressure vapor producing means capable of introducing energy into a fluid in a manner sufficient to produce a vapor bubble.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein said high pressure vapor producing means comprises an electrode.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein said vapor producing means comprises a laser.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein said opening has a diameter ranging from about 1 μm to 1 mm.  
     
     
         13 . A device for producing a microfluidic jet in a fluid environment, said device comprising: 
 a micronozzel having a distal end comprising a fluid chamber, wherein said fluid chamber has a volume ranging from about 10 μm 3  to 1 cm 3  and comprises: 
 (i) a single opening having a diameter ranging from about 1 μm to 1 mm; and  
 (ii) an electrode vapor producing means located opposite said opening and separated from said opening by a distance ranging from about 10 μm to 1 cm;  
   wherein said fluid chamber is capable of producing a microfluidic jet in a fluid environment upon actuation.    
     
     
         14 . A device comprising at least two microfluid chambers, wherein each microfluid chamber comprises: 
 (i) an opening at a distal end; and    (ii) a vapor producing means opposite said opening;    wherein each of said microfluid chambers is capable of producing a microfluidic jet in a fluid enviroment upon actuation.    
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein said at least two microfluid chambers are individually actuatable.  
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein said device comprises a plurality of said microfluid chambers.  
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said device comprises an array of microfluid chambers.  
     
     
         18 . A method of producing a fluid microjet in a fluid environment, said method comprising: 
 (a) contacting said fluid environment with a microfluid chamber comprising: 
 (i) an opening at a distal end; and  
 (ii) a vapor producing means opposite said openings; and  
   (b) actuating said vapor producing means in a manner sufficient to produce a vapor bubble inside said fluid chamber;    whereby a fluid microjet is produced in said fluid environment.    
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said vapor producing means is actuated in a manner sufficient to produce pulsed microfluid jets in said fluid environment.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said microfluid chamber is positioned proximal to a tissue in said fluid environment and said method is a method of physically modulating said tissue with said fluid microjet.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said method is a method of cutting tissue.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said micronozzel is positioned proximal to a cell and said method is a method of introducing fluid into said cell.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said micronozzel is positioned proximal to a blood vessel and said method is a method of manipulating a clot by a water jet.